Liverpool FC Forum

[Owzat]

mate we aint winning title this year you know , I know it , Rafa knows it (hence why he is making the great escape).

HELLO !!! 

The problem is, how is he going to prove he can win the league if he gives it up this early and writes it off in favour of the Champions League?

If our title challenge ends after 26 or 27 games, if we don't win today then it could be all over, then I'd say what's he ever done in the Premiership besides a club record points total in the Premiership? PBs are all well and good, but to win this  race he will have to beat the rest and probably his personal best. That will be two managers covering a decade between them, winning cups and doing quite well in the Premiership at times, but both were brought in to win the league

Houllier's Records

Highest League Position : 2nd (01/02 with 80 points)
Highest Points : 80 (01/02)
Best Champions League : QF (2002)
Best UEFA Cup : Winners (2001)
Best FA Cup : Winners (2001)
Best League Cup : Winners (2001, 2003)

Benitez's Records

Highest League Position : 3rd (06/07 with 68 points, 05/06 with 82 points)
Highest Points : 82 (05/06)
Best Champions League : Winners (2005)
Best UEFA Cup : n/a
Best FA Cup : Winners (2006)
Best League Cup : Runners-Up (2005)

Not a huge amount in it, Houllier managed to finish second, both won cups although Rafa has won the biggest club cup. But overall both have showed plenty of success in the cups and not enough (progress) in the league

1992/93-1997/98

Highest finish : 3rd (twice)
Highest points : 74
Average points : 66
Points/game : 1.65

1998/99-2003/04

Highest finish : 2nd
Highest points : 80
Average points : 66
Points/game : 1.73

2004/05-2007/08

Highest finish : 3rd (twice)
Highest points : 82
Average points : 71
Points/game : 1.87

None of that is exactly phenomenal, the Champions have never averaged less than two points per game and exactly 2.00 points per game back in 1992/93 - 2.38 is the average for the Champions since 2004/05 so even though he's doing better than previous managers, the bar has also been raised.

[bigmick]

I think he's suspended Rock to be honest. It'll most lkiely be Aurelio in midfield again.

[Igor Zidane]

3-0 to the mighty reds , we must must must win .

[Ciggy]

Lose today and its over, win and its game on, my mum is convinced we are gona win the league so who am I to argue with her

[bigmick]

Phsycologically I think it may be possible for us to niggle away at the mancs self assurance, but only if we can stay close. I've got the distinct impression that they're going all out to put the league to bed over the next couple of weeks so they can concentrate on Europe. They'll feel (probably rightly to tell the truth) that they are the best team in the league, ans as such they'll feel that they really ought to win it. A bit like a kid though who won't stay down in a fight, if we can just hang in there we just might begin to get to them a bit. If we can hang on in there and then win at Old Trafford, they might start to get that "feck me these guys are STILL breathing down our necks" feeling.

It's the bread and butter wins though where the test comes for us. City at Home, Boro Away and Sunderland at Home. Can we hoover up the 9 points? My suspicion is that if we can't, it'll be all over Rover. If we can on the other hand, the Mancs just may start to have a doubt or two. If Mourinho can once again get one over on Ferguson as well, the doubts could begin to really nag.

Lots of if's in there though. Rafa has to field a fairly bizarre team today through injuries and suspensions, but if we come throug that, will he be able to resist the uber styling in between the Madrid games? My guess is he won't, but we'll see.

[Igor Zidane]

uber styling

[KennyisGod....still]

I'm jus kinda glad the game aint on telly otherwise my kids'd be learnin a whole new language if Lucas does play! Aint touched sopcast this season since I ad to av me pc cleaned, disinfected and taken to the clap clinic last season! Radio for me I'm afraid, but at least I won't be influencin my kiddies playground talk on Mondy!

[fivecups]

If we can win those 3 games though - we'll be a point ahead of United albeit with them having 2 games in hand. Assuming they win their game away to Newcastle we'll be 2 points back on March 14th.

All those games are winable and if we want to be realistic title challengers we've got to hit form and win them. I have this nagging doubt though that at some stage we're going to slip up with a draw and then it'll be virtually over. Hope that doesn't happen.



Owzat intersting stats as usual.

[The_Rock]

I think he's suspended Rock to be honest. It'll most lkiely be Aurelio in midfield again.

well...amen to tat... 

Auerlio looks more than decent as a CM (or at least the left side of the central midfield...if tat makes sense)...

[The_Rock]

If Mourinho can once again get one over on Ferguson as well, the doubts could begin to really nag.

Mourinho is the one who can screw up manure's season...he puts them out of the champions league and it could go all pear shape for manure.......

Mourinho 

[fivecups]

Lucas isn't suspended today - very likely to start IMO beside Mascherano. Wouldn't mind seeing Benayoun and Torres in front of them with Kuyt on the right and Reira on the left.

[Reg]

Lucas isn't suspended today - very likely to start IMO beside Mascherano.

Thats a shame.

[Igor Zidane]

UNCONFIRNMED AS OF YET !!!!!!! From RAWK.


                                               Reina

Arbeloa                      Carragher              Skrtle                Dossena

                         
Benayoun                  Mascherano                       Lucas         Riera

                               Kuyt                                   Torres

[lakes10]

UNCONFIRNMED AS OF YET !!!!!!! From RAWK.


                                               Reina

Arbeloa                      Carragher              Skrtle                Dossena

                         
Benayoun                  Mascherano                       Lucas         Riera

                               Kuyt                                   Torres

Yep seen this on SSN now.

yet again not happy with the line up.

I get the feeling there could be a lot of goals today,

4-3

[fivecups]

Pity Dossena's playing instead of Aurelio - presumably Wednesdays' match in mind there - although if we're all over them Dossena will possess some attacking threat. Otherwise I'm fairly happy with that given that Stevie and Xabi aren't available. I'd move Kuyt to the right and play Benni behind Torres though.